Interlocking floor panels

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a portable floor comprised of interlocking floor panels which may be used for dancing, theatrical productions, musical performances, trade shows, and other settings where it is desirable to have a firm wooden floor surface. The disclosed invention enables a single person to install or disassemble the portable floor. It eliminates the need for storing any additional hardware to connect the panels to one another. No special tools are required to assemble or disassemble a floor. The floor is easy to assemble. Once the portable floor is assembled each panel is locked at two different places, thus firmly connecting the floor together. Panels may be added as desired to increase the size of the floor.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A portable floor comprising: 
       (a) a plurality of rectangular panels adjacent to one another, each panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and four sides, the four sides collectively defining a peripheral edge surface;  
       (b) a frame bounding the peripheral edge surface, the frame comprising a first member having a first male edge, a second member adjacent to the first member, the second member having a second male edge, a third member having a first groove oriented along the long axis of the third member, and a fourth member, adjacent to the third member, the fourth member having a second groove oriented along the long axis of the fourth member;  
       (c) the first male edge and second male edge each having two ends, comprising a locking end and a free end;  
       (d) the first groove adapted for receiving the first male edge of a first adjacent panel, the first groove having an engagement member for engaging the locking end of the first adjacent panel;  
       (f) the second groove adapted for receiving the second male edge of a second adjacent panel, the second groove having an engagement member for engaging the locking end of the second adjacent panel; and  
       (g) secondary locking means for locking adjacent panels together.  
     
     
       2. The portable floor of  claim 1  wherein the first male edge has the same dimensions as the second male edge and the first groove has the same dimensions as the second groove. 
     
     
       3. The portable floor of  claim 1  wherein the locking end comprises a J-hook and the engagement member comprises a post generally oriented at a right angle to the groove. 
     
     
       4. The portable floor of  claim 1  wherein the secondary locking means comprises locking clips connecting adjacent panels. 
     
     
       5. A portable floor comprising 
       (a) at least four uniformly sized panels, each panel having a top surface, a bottom surface and four sides, the four sides defining a peripheral edge surface;  
       (b) each panel further comprising:  
       (i) a frame bounding the peripheral edge surface, the frame comprising a first side having a male edge extending outwardly therefrom, a second side adjacent to the first side, the second side having a male edge extending outwardly therefrom, a third side having a first groove oriented along the long axis of the third side, and a fourth side, adjacent to the third side, the fourth side having a second groove oriented along the long axis of the fourth side;  
       (ii) the male edge having two ends comprising a locking end and a free end;  
       (iii) the first groove adapted for receiving the first male edge of a first adjacent panel, the first groove having an engagement member for engaging the locking end of the first adjacent panel;  
       (iv) the second groove adapted for receiving the second male edge of a second adjacent panel, the second groove having an engagement member for engaging the locking end of the second adjacent panel; and  
       (c) secondary locking means for locking adjacent panels together.  
     
     
       6. The portable floor of  claim 5  wherein the locking end comprises a J-hook and the engagement member comprises a post generally oriented at a right angle to the groove. 
     
     
       7. The portable floor of  claim 5  wherein the secondary locking means comprises locking clips connecting adjacent panels.